For a guy with such shortcomings, Whitecaps' Devon Travis standing above all in Midwest League batting

COMSTOCK PARK, MI – This deficiency thing Devon Travis has may just get him to the big leagues someday.

It certainly has won over fans in West Michigan.

Travis, the Whitecaps’ first-year second baseman, doesn’t think he’s very big, nor very fast, and not capable of much power. Plus, there’s the build – 5-foot-9 and a shade under 200 pounds - and a knee injury that lingered in college and robbed him of his speed.

All of which stand no chance against his determination.

“I know I have to work hard for anything,” Travis said. “I know I’m not the prototype player - I was always the smallest guy - so working hard every day is the only way I know. It's what I’ve always done.”

For someone with such shortcomings, he’s certainly made a dent in the stats and endeared himself to manager Larry Parrish.

Entering the final two games of the Whitecaps’ homestand today (11 a.m.) and Thursday (6:30) against Lake County, Travis leads the Midwest League in batting (.342) and hits (63), is third in runs (36) and also has some speed and power with seven stolen bases, a team-high five home runs and 28 RBIs.

“That’s the thing about him,” Parrish said. “Some guys say they love the game and give it their all and after a while, they can’t do it. Not physically, but mentally. Travis just brings that enthusiasm every day.”

Travis was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 13th round of the 2012 draft, foregoing his senior season at Florida State to sign in the summer with the organization. He jumped in and hit .280 with Connecticut in the New York-Penn League.

The adjustment to West Michigan could have been far worse for Travis, who is from West Palm Beach, Fla.

“I was worried because I’d never played in the cold, never even seen snow,” he said with a laugh.

No worries. He started strong and hit .341 in the first month and has stayed consistent and steady (batting .390 versus lefties and .329 against righties).

Along the way, he had a two homerun game (one of which was inside the park) and a 20-game hitting streak, the second longest in franchise history.

Nothing this season can top – for now – what he did in spring training March 19 in Lakeland. Wearing the Tigers uniform, he hit a two-run home run as a pinch hitter against the Tampa Bay Rays.

“They (Tigers) brought along about eight of us in case (as possible late-game replacements)," Travis said. “I don’t want to say I was hiding, but I was (in the dugout) nervous. Then I saw him (manager Jim Leyland) point to me to bat and I won't lie, my heart was racing.”

He homered in the eighth inning off Brandon Gomes.

“I put my head down and ran,” Travis said. “I nearly ran up the backside of (Matt) Tuiasosopo (who was ahead of him rounding the bases).”

Parrish said more good moments are likely ahead for Travis.

“He’ll be fine,” Parrish said. “He’s solid in the field, he is fast enough and he can hit. And he’s a hard working player. He comes to play every day.”